Unit 2 Essay Prompt/Study Guide Project
By Andrew Soboeiro
Prompt
15. Compare and contrast the role and function of cities in the following regions: the Islamic world, Western Europe, and China
Thesis
Chinese, Western European, and Islamic cities all served as centers of economic activities, though they different in their respective sizes and
cultural significances.
Road Map
Trade played a crucial role in economic activity. Cities, as centers of trade, were essential to the functioning of all three economies. While
Islamic, Chinese, and Western European cities all played this essential role, they differed in their respective sizes and cultural significances.
Chinese and Muslim cities were much larger than their European counterparts, and played much greater roles in shaping their civilizations’
cultures.
Evidence:
 Economics and trade:
o In Western Europe, Venice dominated the spice trade, while Ghent, Bruges, and Ypres centralized commerce in fish and
wool.
o Urban growth in the Islamic world expanded consumer markets for citrus fruit, rice, sugar, and cotton. They integrated
pastoral nomads into the economy and encouraged the growth of manufacturing.
o Chinese intercity trade led to the development of the “flying money” credit system. Many citizens traded agricultural life
for an urban consumer existence, leading to the advent of an urban middle-class. This development marked the beginning
of industrialization, giving China a “modern” economy.
 Size:
o Western European cities usually had populations in the tens of thousands. For example Paris and London were each
estimated to have had between 30,000 and 50,000 citizens at this time.
o Islamic cities had populations often numbering well into the hundreds of thousands.
o Chinese urban populations also numbered well into the hundreds of thousands, with some cities having populations in
excess of one million.
 Culture:
o Islamic cities were centers of conversion to Islam. They lead to the development of local Islamic leadership and variations
in the practice of Islam. This made Islam a much more adaptable religion.
o Western European cities are not known for their cultural significance. They are mostly noted for their importance to trade.
o Chinese cities became centers of an emerging industrial-consumer culture. They contained restaurants, parks, bookstores,
wine shops, tea houses, and theatres.
Global Connections
 The Mongols were mostly nomadic, not developing many major cities of their own. This probably explains their lack of cultural or
economic prowess. The Mongols often adapted to other cultures without spreading their own. They also had an unimpressive
economic record; areas conquered by the Mongols were often worse off economically, never recovering from the wars the Mongols
fought.
 The Mayans developed a number of metropolises; one large city would be the center of a cluster of smaller cities. Mayan cities
required great agricultural production, leading to agricultural innovations that transformed the Mayan economy. Mayan cities were
cultural centers, homes to elaborate architecture and religious rituals.
 Aztec cities had populations as large as 500,000. They were centers of trade in gold, jewels, clothing, and cacao. An Aztec merchant
class developed, leading to social inequality. Aztec cities were organized by clans, with each clan’s leader performing important
cultural and religious rituals.
Reasons for Similarities and Differences
 Similarities:
o All three cultures had cities with economic significance because that is how cities develop. Cities begin as centers of trade.
It is hard for a civilization to have cities and yet not have urban-centered economies.
 Differences:
o The differences in urban size reflected each civilization’s respective political situation. The Islamic world and the Chinese
civilization were both united in some way, in Islam by a common religion and in China by a strong central government.
Conversely, European society was heavily decentralized. Europeans had to rely on a feudal lord for protection, and thus
lived in small feudal domains. This is why large cities developed in the Muslim world and in China, but not in Western
Europe.
o Size likely contributed to cultural significance. Larger portions of the Chinese and Islamic populations lived in cities. Urban
cultural developments thus affected a larger portion of either civilization. A smaller percentage of Europeans lived in cities;
urban cultural developments affected less of European civilization as a whole.
Beth Hieronymus
Compare and contrast the impact of the following migrations:
Bantu
Vikings
Aztecs
1. Thesis: The Bantu, Vikings, and Aztecs migrations all fostered a spreading of ideas concerning economic matters and culture. The
three, however, differ how they migrated.
2. Road map: The Bantu’s spreading of iron and Islam, the Vikings’ establishment of fisheries, spread of English language, and how
they viewed religion, and the Aztecs’ increase of trade and establishment of the tribute system all made a significant and lasting
impact of regions these civilizations migrated.
(I think that my thesis has a significant roadmap ingrained in it because it essentially outlines what my paper would be.)
3. Evidence:
Economy:
Bantu:
-spread farming techniques
-spread knowledge on how to smelt iron (spread southward through sub-Saharan Africa) (including axes,
hoes, ect. That allowed land to be cultivated)
This established a new economic basis for the new southern societies. These new societies began farming
which fostered a population boom compared to their previous hunting and gathering methods.
Vikings:
-established early commercial fisheries in Northern Europe
-because used efficient multi-oared boats migrate and conquer
-Norse economy- fishermen and merchants
-commercial fisheries allowed for a stable food supply (allowing population to increase)
Aztecs:
-military conquests to take over natural resources
This caused trade to flourish.
Culture:
Bantu:
-spread Bantu language which is now the language on many African tribes
-spread Islam to African kingdoms
After they converted to Islam in order to facilitate political and economical relationships
Vikings:
-settlements affected English language because Vikings occupied parts of United Kingdom
-established lasting pattern of religious assimilation (into Christianity for example rather than using political power to force
other religions)
-This happened when the Vikings converted to Christianity after conquering Christian lands.
Aztecs:
-promoted their polytheistic religion
-conquered neighboring lands partially to conquer people to use as human sacrifices
-tribute system (political system)
-imposed on conquered people
-people must make payments of maize, beans, ect. to government
-this was imposed to help the growing need for food among the Aztecs
How they conquered:
Bantu: tribal community that migrated to new resources and new trade routes
Vikings: violently conquered to gain material wealth
-raided monasteries for food and riches
Aztecs: violently conquered by means of a strong military
4.
Global Connections:
Bantu: spread iron and farming technologies which led to distinct African tribal culure
Vikings: eventually settled Newfoundland, Canada, inland Russia, Northern France and brought the English language along
Aztecs: tribute system-established the precedent of giving government part of wealth (food in the Aztecs’ case) for the government
to distribute
-this is similar to modern day taxes
Strong military state-importance of such a state spread to other Latin American civilizations
5.
Reasons for similarities and differences:
Similarities:
-When a group migrate when they have a unique technology or skill (iron smelting-Bantu, multi-oared boats-Vikings), it is
inevitable that the people who come in contact with the group will learn of the innovation and use it for their benefit.
-When conquests are violent (as with the Vikings and Aztecs), people who are conquered have no choice but to accept what
the conquerors impose on them (tribute system- Aztecs).
Differences:
Each of these three civilizations are form different geographic locations with different resources, therefore it makes sense
that they each have different skill assets. For
example, the Bantu used their metal resources to smelt iron, the Vikings used their coastal location to establish fisheries, and the Aztecs used
their large population to raise a strong military to foster growth.
6. Information:
Bantu:
-means “people”
-from West Africa spread iron and farming technology which fostered distinct African culture
Vikings:
-sea-raiders from Scandinavia (called Normans)
-warriors who attacked mainly Western Europe (most successful raiders)
-economy based on shipbuilding (multi-oared boats)
-emerging noble class
-targeted monasteries (easy targets)
-played role in developing English language
-converted to Christianity after conquering Christian lands-established lasting pattern of religious assimilation of conquered
land rather than imposing other beliefs
-developed early commercial fisheries (stable food supply)
Aztecs:
-expansion policy
-professional army
-most elite and respected in culture were the warriors
-violent conquers
-conquered neighbors to get people for human sacrifices (made human sacrifices for things like dedicating a new temple) –
polytheistic
-trade flourished by conquering
-later Hernan Cortes brought about their downfall
-empire got to be so large (12 million people) that states governed themselves
(system of salutary neglect)
Elizabeth Sheets
Study Guide
9. Compare and contrast the social, political and economic patterns of the TWO of the following civilizations
Mayans
Aztecs
Incas
Thesis: The isolation of the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas caused many differences in social, political and economic patterns; however, because
these civilizations developed around the same time period and region, there are also several similarities.
Road Map: The similarities of these cultures included worship of deities and rulers, different social classes, and trade of goods, while the
difference includes: unique social traditions, varying influences of government and different trade methods.
Mayans (250-900 AD)
Social: 1. Borrowed traditions from the Olmec civilization.
2. Made up of city-states, each with a center of religious ceremonies.
3. Each city state featured palaces and stone carvings dedicated to gods.
4. Most people lived either in cities, or in communities just outside the city.
5. Performed human sacrifices in hopes of appeasing gods.
6. There were three social classes: rulers (kings, military leaders and priests),
commoners (artisans and farmers) and peasants.
Political: 1. Each city state was ruled by a king who was also believed to be a god.
2. The king worked closely with the religious and military leaders to rule the
3. The main center of government was in the city of Tikal.
Economic: 1. Although city-states were independent, they still engaged in trade with one
another.
2. They traded salt, feathers, shells, honey and cotton textiles.
3. The Mayans did not have currency, instead they used cacao beans.
4. Mayans used the slash and burn technique for agriculture, but later
developed a more sophisticated method of farming on raised beds above
swamps.
Aztecs (1300s-1500s)
Social: 1. First began as the city-state of Teotichcan, which at its height, had a population
Of 150,000 to 200,000.
2. Teotichan was abandoned and took over by the Toltecs, who created the
religion used by the Aztecs.
3. After the fall of the Toltecs, the Aztecs took over and founded the city of
Tenochtitlan on an island in the center of Lake Texcoco.
4. The Aztecs were known for bloody human sacrifices of conquered people,
slaves and prisoners of war to their sun god Huitzilopochitil.
5. The three social classes consisted of: leaders, commoners and the enslaved.
Political: 1. Military leaders were highly respected and held great power, assisting
government officials and priests in ruling the people.
2. Nobles had large estates and ruled much like European lords.
3. The emperor sat on top of the political pyramid and had absolute power,
though he often consulted with top general sand officials.
4. The empire was made up of 38 provinces, each paying tribute to
Tenochtitlan.
5. Acquired new lands using terror.
people.
Economic: 1. Residents grew several crops on “floating gardens” that were sold at
Market, including: avocados, beans, chili peppers, corn, squash and tomatoes.
2. Received tribute from conquered lands in the form of gold, maize, cacao
beans, cotton and jade. If conquered people refused to pay tribute, their
village would be destrotyed and its people slaughtered.
Incas (1200-1500s)
Social: 1. built on Chavin, Moche and Nazca foundations.
2. Culture covered the entire Andean region.
3. The extended family was a major part of society because they were divided up
into allyus, which took on tasks too big for a small family.
4. Families were divided up into groups of 10, 100, 1,000 or 10,000.
5. Each group was led by a chief, who was part of a chain of command leading all
the way to Cuzco.
Political: 1. Local administration was given to rulers appointed by the central
government and emperor in Cuzco.
2. If a village rejected Incan control, the entire group would be moved to
another territory.
3. The polytheistic Inca religion supported the power of the state.
Economic: 1. The Incas allowed little private commerce or trade between villages.
2. All labor within the empire was done by the allyus, who built irrigation
canals or cut agricultural terraces in the sides of the mountains.
3. Labor tribute was known as mita, which required all able-bodied persons to
perform physical work a certain number of days of the year.
4. The mita made public-works projects possible, such as the building of roads.
Global Connections
1.
The type of trade that these Mesoamerican cultures resembled that of the Silk Road, where people bargained to get what they want
or need.
2. The Aztec nobles owned large estates that were managed by slaves or peasants,
much like the European feudal system of this time period.
Erika Covian
Prompt: Compare and Contrast the economic and political systems of two of the following regions between 700 C.E. and 1300 C.E.
Russia
Byzantine Empire
Western Europe
Thesis: Even though the Byzantine Empire and Western Europe were once joined in unison as one large empire, they eventually split,
creating many differences in their political and economic systems. However, due to the poor conditions of the area there were also many
similar ideas and concepts that originated in the Roman Empire and had continued to carry on to each region.
Road Map: Some of the similarities that each region shared were their bartering system due to their poor economies and the sudden decline
of population and wealth of many of the major systems. Even though their economies were similar their methods of political rule varied
greatly since the Eastern part of Europe focused on imperial rule while the Western half followed more of a secular political authority.
Byzantine Empire (Eastern)(pg240243)
 Political System
o Roman imperial rule
o Imperial Law
o All powerful Christian
monarchs
o Single rule with supreme
legal and religious authority
o Lost many territories
o Islam imposed religious and
political change
 Conversion to
Muslim
o Schism- Latin church and
Orthodox Church
 Testing of territorial
jurisdiction of pope
and practices of
Latin Church
 Economic System
o Plague of Justinian
o Barter replaced money
transactions
Western Europe( pg245 -246)
 Political System (pg
249-252)
o Politically fragmented
o King and Pope thought
themselves ultimate
authorities
o Holy Roman Emperor
o Secular political
authority
o Pope crowns Holy
Roman Emperor but
doesn’t mean he has
political superiority
o Pope had exclusive legal
jurisdiction over all
clergy and church
property
o Investiture controversystruggle between church
and lay lords to control
ecclesiastical
appointments
Russia (pg 335-336)
 Political System
o
o
o
o
o

o
o
o
Moscow dominant
political center
Golden Horde of Russia
Granted privileges to the
Orthodox Church which
helped reconcile the
Russian people to their
distant masters
Enlisted Russian princes
to act as agents to collect
taxes and gather census’
Traditional structure of
local government
survived Mongol rule, as
did Russian princely
families who continued
to battle among
themselves for
dominance
Economic System
Cities decline in
population and wealth
Emperors continued set
prices, organize grain
shipments to capital, and
monopolize trade in
luxury goods
Government intervention
slowed economic
innovation

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Broader conflict of the
Pope vs. the Kings and
Emperor
Economic System
Self-sufficient
Trade didn’t completely
stop
Rely on meager local
resources
Bartering goods and
services instead of
paying for them
Roman centralization
channeled wealth and
production to capital
 Led to spread of
Roman cultural
styles and tastes to
provinces
Manors- Self efficient
farming estates
 serfs
landowners depend on
own resources for
survival
Roman governors
replaced by Germanic
territorial lords who
found riches of their own
culture more appealing
than Rome
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Commerce depends
more on direct exchange
of goods than currency
transactions
bubonic plague
“Mongol Yoke”sluggish economy and
dormant culture under
Mongols
Flow of silver and gold
into Mongol hands
starved local economy of
precious metal
Introduce paper money
as response to currency
shortage
Non-monetary economy
Russian territories paid
heavy taxes in Silver
 Indicated
economic
surpluses and the
ability to convert
goods into cas
Global Connections: Mayan and Aztec civilizations had similar bartering systems however they also had different political systems
and ruled their empires differently. The Islamic Empires also had different political systems. They did not rule their regions based on a
religious leader however like the Christians the Muslims did engage in religious wars to spread and defend their beliefs. The Asian
territories such as China, Korea, and Japan had similar systems to Russia because they too were invaded and later controlled by the
Mongols.
Possible Reason for Similarities and Differences: They either spurred from similar or different regions. They ruled based on similar
ideas, morals, and beliefs. Different religions.
Evan Sherwood
Describe and analyze the cultural, economic, and political impact of Islam on one of the following regions between 700 C.E. and 1450
C.E. Be sure to discuss the causes of changes as well as the reasons for the continuities.
West Africa
South Asia
Europe
West Africa
1. In western Africa the course of Islam helped change the social aspect of the civilization, but despite the spread of Islam, western
Africa’s economic base never changed.
2. The impact of Islam allows us to se how the cultural and political life were changed while the economic based remained the same.
3. Evidence- social life was changed as new buildings began to resemble Middle Eastern buildings. They started building Quranic
schools based upon Islam law. The spread also help support literacy. What also was changing was hat women didn’t have to cover
themselves completely. These civilizations also started using salves due to Islam coming to the area. Politically speaking it helped
create new empires such as the Mali and Ghana Empires. They changed the religion of their empires officially to Islam as this was the
religion that best suited their interest.
4. This spread helped develop more educated citizens and a more powerful empire that helped them compete with other nations.
Possibly led to the cultural diversity across the tribes in the area
5. Women’s role changed as they became important in marketing product such as agricultural products. Education of citizens of
changed. Economy stayed as they depended on agriculture.
6. Mansa Musa helped bring knowledge of Islam to area. It came about non-violently It was a peaceful conversion. This helped
increase business contacts. This help place importance on public safety and respectful attitude for foreigner’s property. Books became
most important export.
South Asia
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
As Islam spread across Southern Asia it was responsible as a whole for making this area of the world more advanced in all
areas of society which includes a change in government .While there were many changes, social customs such as giving a
daughter away for marriage remained constant.
Islam changed the political, economic, and social aspects of Southern Asia
Socially Islam eliminated most of idol worship and women gained a better status as a female became emperor, her name was
Raziya and the sati ritual became optional. This also helped break the bonds oh Buddhism. Islam helped to create a central
political authority. Their military was strengthened as invaders became more frequent. This also caused a change to the
common currency. They too started to employ servants in their homes.
Helps show how Islam was spread through via marriage of Islam sailors from South Asia to women at port cities. Helped
Asia become a world power since they had a central political authority.
the continuities include social rituals and traditions native to Southern Asia. Changes include governmental reign and many
religious changes such as giving daughter to marriage.
Spread of Islam into this area was by violent conquest, not peaceful conversion. The success of Islam was that it took up the
cultures where it took root, it adapted to the area it was. Islam didn’t make people conform to it, it conformed to the people.
Europe
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
While Europe was on the out skirts of Islam expansion it did change the social and economic life by mixing Arabic and
European art and architecture. However despite this new religion, the basis of government was kept in tact.
Islam helped develop the life of citizens and helped further the country in all aspects of life from religion to the jobs they
possessed.
They changed Greek and Persian works into Arabic. The leader which was a caliphate became a hereditary line. This led to a
complex government. Also they created new architectural and literary styles. Helped start a new economy with new and
improved technology. They still kept the Byzantine administrative ways of administering government.
Continuities included the kind of government. Changes included social lives and economy which became more advanced.
Islam led the first intercultural contacts. The rise of Europe in trade came as a direct result of Africa and Asia becoming
dominate trading areas.
Josh Brabant
3B
Compare and Contrast the Political and Economic influences of China on two of the following countries:
Japan
Korea
Vietnam
1. Thesis: Chinese influence in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam had a great effect in the development of these countries politically and
economically depending on the distance between the countries, and the willingness to accept China’s “sphere of influence”.
2. Roadmap:
 Japan’s willingness to accept Chinese influence and maintain it’s political independence
 China’s influence over Korea and Vietnam comes unwillingly but isn’t fought, because of China’s economic superiority.
 Adoption of Chinese system of writing.
 Japan Modeling Chinese Courts and copying Chinese Law Code
 “Selective Borrowing” of Chinese by Japan, and unwilling adoption of culture by Korea and Vietnam.
3. Evidence
 Japan used China to model it’s own government and political system, but still maintained it’s political independence from
China because of the ocean between the two developing countries. Unlike Korea and Vietnam who had no gap between
China and it’s here that China had it’s greatest influence. Japan had a choice, Vietnam and Korea did not.
 Since Korea and Vietnam were so close to China, they couldn’t help but submit to China’s economic superiority. China’s
exports far outweighed it’s imports and this economic superiority and wealth spilled over into the surrounding nations;
Vietnam and Korea.
 The adoption of the Chinese system of writing by the Japanese fostered a large development in Japanese creativity and a
centralized political system. Japanese courts and cities even modeled that of the Chinese. New methods for growing rice,
borrowed from china, helped enhance economic basis in Japan.
 The Japanese practiced “selective borrowing” and realized that they were politically independent of China, unlike Vietnam
and Korea who depended heavily on china as an economic resource and political superior. They only borrow ideals from the
Chinese that would benefit them, not the entire Chinese culture. Japan used China as a resource to build up their own nation,
independent of China.
4. Global Connection: This “sphere of influence” from China still stands today. China is vastly larger than it’s surrounding nations
and economic ideals of exporting 30 times more than what they import is still practiced. China’s influence didn’t just stop at Korea,
Japan and Vietnam, it influenced the entire world at this time (roughly 1000 CE and on). China was the driving behind the silk road,
named after the silk developed by the Chinese that was very valuable and was one of the main goods that travel this great trade route.
China’s influence spread all the way to Europe and Africa, not only its goods but its ideals on architecture, politics, religion, and
everyday life.
5. Similarities and Difference:
 Chinese influence in Japan differed from that in Korea and Japan because Japan had the choice of adopting Chinese culture,
because they were politically independent of China, unlike Korea and Vietnam.
 China ruled politically over areas in Korean and Vietnam, and had not rule of Japan. Vietnam and Korea depended on China
economically, because China provided much of the goods and materials that these two countries needed. Japan also needed
such things from China, but the influence of China on Japan was almost indirect because of the distance between the two
countries; thus giving Japan the ability to grow independently.
 All three countries, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam adopted the culture of China in some shape or form, whether it be adopting
the system of writing, the ways of everyday life, and so on. Without the influence of China all of these countries would have
suffered both politically and economically.
6. Other Information:
 Inspired by Chinese examples, the Japanese established councils and government
departments and sought to introduce genuine bureaucratic control at the local
level.
 Sphere of influence defined by Dictionary.com as “a territorial area over which political or economic influence is wielded by
one nation” and that one nation being China, and the territorial area being Korea and Vietnam, and Japan indirectly.
 Chinese influence last still today in the world, and the effects can be seen in the governments of Japan, Korea, and Vietnam
who all share political ideals and interactive economy developed by the Chinese
Nichole Mayberry
Compare and contrast Islam and Christianity using TWO of the following criteria:


Dogma
1. Thesis
 Arising from the same region and drawing influence from Judaism and the Old
Testament, both Islam and Christianity share several parallel principles of dogma, with
differences where Islam has rejected or denied a few essential Christian beliefs.
2. Road Map
 Islam and Christianity share several principles, including strict monotheism, revelation,
and prophecy, while differences arise from Christian scripture claiming the divinity of
Christ and Fatherhood of God.
3. Three Pieces of Evidence
 Similarities
 Oneness of God
 Revelation
 Prophecy
 Sacredness of scripture
 Eschatological events
 Differences
 Fatherhood of God
 Divinity of Christ
 Doctrine of original sin
 Christian scriptures
4. Global Connections
 Both religions stemmed from Judaism and the early monotheistic religions of the Middle
East.
 Ultimately, the beliefs and dogmas of both religions appealed to the masses.
5. Reasons for Similarities and Differences
 The main reasons for similarities are that these two religions arose from the same region,
and stem from early monotheistic religions such as Zoroastrianism and Judaism.
 Differences mainly have to do with Islam being a response to both Judaism and
Christianity, where Muhammad embraced and accepted many Christian beliefs, but
redefined certain aspects as a “perfected” path to God.
Relation to the state
1. Thesis
 Both Islam and Christianity exploded from the deserts of the Middle East in response to
the reigning forces of power, and these religions ultimately became sweeping political
forces in their own right. Using religion to gain land and expand trade, faith also brought
unity to the empires these two religions established.
2. Road Map
 Though similar in their rise to power and use as a social tool, differences arise with the
extent to which Islam not only expanded, but used religion to run its empire.
3. Three Pieces of Evidence
 Similarities
 Rose to political power
 Used religion to gain political power, expand empire and trade
 Social tool: Vladimir of Russia chose Christianity over Islam because of Islamic
alcohol restrictions
 Initially a threat to power
 Differences
 Islam was more active in establishing and expanding an empire
 Christianity has a specific religious hierarchy, where the theocracy differs slightly
and continues to become less theocratic as time goes on
 Shari’a in Islam acted as a book of laws which were upheld by the government
4. Global Connections
The Islamic empire used religion to establish a strict theocracy that helped them to gain
political power. This power allowed them to expand their empire, as well as their religion.
 Both Christianity and Islam spread through trade routes, and trade was often established
through religious conversion
5. Reasons for Similarities and Differences
 Both religions arose in the same politically tumultuous region, lending reason to many
similarities.
 However, differences stem from the strength of Islam in the Middle East, while Christianity
gained more power in Europe.
Religious prophets
1. Thesis and Road Map
 Christianity and Islam share the same prophets of the Old Testament, but differ where
Christianity sees Jesus as the Messiah and do not recognize Muhammad as a prophet.
2. Three Pieces of Evidence
 Similarities
 Both share the prophets of the Old Testament, including Abraham and Noah
 Both accept the word of the prophets as part of religious doctrine
 Both value prophets
 Differences
 Christianity does not recognize Muhammad as the final prophet
 Islam does not view Jesus as the Messiah, but instead another prophet
 Christianity does not think of Jesus as a prophet, but instead as the Messiah
3. Global Connections
 Both religions had origins in the Middle East, and stemmed largely from Judaism.
4. Reasons for Similarities and Differences
 Islam arose as a response to what Muhammad believed were the imperfections of
Christianity.
Role of women
1. Thesis
 Women never found themselves as equals in both Christianity and Islam; however,
Islamic women, though forced to oblige to socially oppressive practices, did exercise
more political rights than women in Christian societies.
2. Road Map
 Women in both religions experienced social oppression and were barred from public
roles, while Islamic women were given more political freedom, such as rights of divorce
and property, and Christian women gained some power as empress in the Byzantine
Empire.
3. Three Pieces of Evidence
 Similarities
 Veiling was common in both societies
 Seclusion from society
 Women were barred from public roles
 Differences
 Veiling was a much more religious, strict practice in Islam.
o Women were feared as sexual temptresses and political instigators
 Polygamy in Islam
 Byzantine empresses
o This was incongruous with the role of women in society.
4. Global Connections
 Women worldwide were oppressed; these practices were not unique to either religion.
5. Reasons for Similarities and Differences
 Similar in that they arose from the same region, and these practices may already have
been used. Differences in Islam may stem simply from Muhammad’s own beliefs on
polygamy.



Thesis and Road Map for All Four Topics
Arising from the same region in the Middle East and sharing similar religious origins, Christianity and Islam have
several parallel values and beliefs despite their distinct differences in areas such as dogma, prophets, the role
of women, and political power.
Anna Krulder
Compare and contrast Japanese and European feudalism using two to the following criteria:
Warrior Class
Architecture
Role of King/Emperor
Thesis: Japanese and European feudalism are comparably similar but do have points in it that
distinguish them from the other.
Road Map: In the first paragraph I will discuss samurais versus knights, the second; emperors
versus kings and finally the difference between the architecture.
Samurai:
They were body guards for the lords
They followed a code of conduct called Bushido
There was an opposition of power called Fujiwara
Knights:
They pledged land for fiefs
They’re code of conduct was called “chivalry”
They were used for protection and other services
Emperor:
The shogun had the real power
They had other means of making money instead of giving out land for use
They were the “puppets” over the land
King:
They had power over the whole kingdom
They had few finical resources which resulted in them in giving away land for agriculture and
money.
They had limited authority and reach over the kingdom.
Japan:
The houses and what not were wooden structures and more open
They had a smaller agriculture population thanks to trade
Influenced by Chinese architecture
Europe:
Castles and other enclosed buildings
They needed large land for faming
Romanesque style of architecture
Bigger churches
Global connection:
Everyone around had men (and in the case of Japan sometime women) to fight for them for
protection in among other things, but everywhere around had a different way for people to
defend them.
Similarities and differences:
They were in different locations, the way of life that they followed were different (culture) and
also the impact that religion had also influences the people’s daily lives.
Other information:
Knights wore open-faced helmet and a long linen shirt
Samurais wore kabutos (type of helmet) and embellished armor
Blaine Little
16. Compare and contrast European and sub- Saharan contacts with the Islamic world using TWO of the
following criteria:
Degree of adoption of Islam
Military conflict
Economic relationship
Treatment of minority/indigenous religions
1. Islam was a growing religion that expanded throughout the eastern world. Although some areas came
into contact more often, most areas at least had some contact with the Muslim world. Influenced through
trade, military conflict, and religion, Arab empires influenced all parts of Europe and Africa.
2. Many factors contributed to the spread of Islam and the acceptance of the religion. Military and trade
probably had the most pool in the distribution of Islam. Merchants were taught to appreciate and bring
the knowledge of the religion back to there home towns. Military conflict allowed for Islam to spread as
well. The Crusaders were pitted against the Muslim armies for religious domination.
3.
a. Degree of adoption of Islam
i. Islam was the fastest growing religion of the time and was allowing for people worldwide
to see what it was about
ii. The meaning of Islam is “submission to the will of Allah”
iii. Trade routes allowed merchants to come to accept Islam and further spread it to other
countries
b. Military Conflict
i. Charles Martel stopped Muslim armies at the Battle of Tours allowing for the spread of
Christianity instead of Islam.
ii. Well disciplined and expertly commanded armies that conquered much land.
iii. Crusades v. Muslims
c. Economic Relationship
i. Trade Routes
ii. Armies
d. Treatment of minority religions
i. Were not tolerated in most areas such as the Roman Empire where only certain religions
were tolerated
4. Global Connections
a. The spread of Islam brought many changes to previously held beliefs of Religion such as
weather polytheism or monotheism should be accepted. Many civilizations at the time did not
believe in monotheism and thought that there were multiple gods. Military strategies were also
improved. Horses and archery were now improved and provided for more military tactics to be
used.
5. Simliarites and differences
a. Roman Empire- more willing to accept Christianity. Constantine ordered the tolerance of
Christianity and did not make everyone follow a certain religion. Because of this, many people
were content with there ideals.
i. Crusades were now brought forth to provide for the protection of Christianity and stop
the spread of Muslim attacks and the further spread of Islam.
b. Trade routes in Africa allowed for merchants to see another religion and Islam and bring new
information back the there societies. This in turn allowed for Islam to become very fast growing.
Basically, sub-Saharan Africa tolerated Islam while most of Europe did not.
Elizabeth Wilson
Compare and contrast the impact of the Bantu, Viking, and Aztec migrations
Thesis: The impact of immigration varies from group to group. The Vikings, Aztecs, and Bantu have made
impacts to the regions that they have settled.
Roadmap: The languages, culture, and technologies of the areas these groups settled were changed by their
appearance.
Evidence:
 Vikings:
o Language: Danish heavily influence English with Viking settlements in the northern half of the
modern United Kingdom
o Culture- They brought their cultures to the areas they settled, such as Greenland, Iceland, France,
and England
o Technology- Made seafaring ships and fishing techniques
o Aztecs:
 Language- Brought language to areas they conquered
 Culture- Made conquered people and volunteers be sacrificed to their gods
 Technology- Made agricultural improvements, irrigation systems, dykes
o Bantu:
 Language- spread language all over Africa through migration, Bantu became the root of modern
African languages
 Culture- influenced tribal society in Africa, led to the spread of Islam later on
 Technology- spread ironworking and agriculture
Global connections: Vikings settled Vinland, which is now Newfoundland in Canada. Aztecs used a tribute
system, similar to that of the Chinese.
Similarities and Differences:
o Differences: Areas of the world settled, respective religions and cultures, reasons for migration,
respective languages
o Similarities: Reasons for migration
Other information: Trade flourished under the Aztecs. Vikings raided areas to help their families. Viking
soldiers were also commercial fishermen and farmers.
Ellen Furby
Mr. Swofford
8 November 2010
Compare and contrast the Greek Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church using TWO of the following
criteria:
Religious dogma
Role and responsibilities of clergy
Organizational structure
Art used in places of worship
Study Guide
1. Thesis: The Great Schism resulted in the separation of the Catholic Church into the Greek Orthodox
Church and the Roman Catholic Church. Theological and leadership differences between the churches
resulted in inconsistencies but also underlying similarities between BLANK and BLANK. (Whichever
two topics you chose.)
2. Road Map- This essay will explore the similarities and differences in the teachings of the Greek
Orthodox Church and The Roman Catholic Church in regards to BLANK and BLANK leading up to and
directly following the era of The Great Schism.
3. Evidence- Religious Dogma- Similarities- Both churches believed in the Trinity and accepted the
original version of the Nicene Creed. Both churches believed in some version of Purgatory. Both
churches believed in Free Will. Both churches believed in inherit spiritual sickness. Differences- The
Orthdox church believed in the vision of God. (Theoria) The Roman Catholic Church did not. Orthdox
rejected Augustine’s doctrine of original sin, Roman Catholic did not. Roman Catholic wanted to add
the Filoque clause to the Nicene Creed, Greek Orthdox wanted to accept it as is.
Role and Responsibilities of Clergy- In Greek Orthodoxy there is no “papal supremacy”- no bishop
has more power than any other bishop. The clergy do not have the power to change the Nicene Creed
according to the Greek Orthodox, but the Roman Catholic Church believes they do have the power.
According to the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope is infallible and the ruler of all Catholic Christians,
the Greek Orthodox does not believe that. They do both have bishops and clergy who are in control,
both churches just have different views on their level of power.
Organizational Structure- The Greek Orthodoxy believes in “primacy of honor” and the Roman
Catholic believes in “primacy of power.” Not one clergy has any more power than any other clergy
according to the Greek Orthodox church, and each bishop has a territory. The Roman Catholic has more
of a hierarchy, while the Greek orthodox has more of a confederacy. Each church does have clergy who
preside over different areas. The Greek Orthodox has no central figure, while the Roman Catholic does.
Art Used In Places of Worship- Both churches depict the life of the Lord in Art. The Roman Catholic
church makes their teachings tangible through art, and is more willing to put these paintings and
sculptures in places of worship. While both churches do not accept idolism, both do like to paint. The
Greek Orthodox church depict images of passion, while the Roman Catholic depict more realistic
images in order to make their teachings come to life.
4. Possible Global Connections- The rise of Constantinople. The Schism and the differences could have
led to the Crusades being much more difficult and the affected the outcome. This also made
reconciliation unrealistic. The differences of opinion continue throughout history and lead to infighting
which affects all areas of the world. The Catholics not presenting a unified front has affected the results
of many arguments and battles throughout history.
5. Possible Reasons for Similarities and Differences- The reasons for the similarities and differences
between the two churches could mostly be attributed to differences of opinion in regards to theology and
power. The Greek Orthodox church does not wish to give more power to the clergy than is appropriate,
while the Roman Catholic Church puts full emphasis on clergy and the Pope. These fundamental
disagreements are what leads to almost all differences in every aspect of the two churches.
6. Any Other Information – The main thing to remember is the differences between the two churches
almost all have to do with power. Also, remember the Great Schism is where these differences came to a
head.
Hannah Sellers
3. Discuss the developments and shifts in trade in ONE of the following regions between 600 and 1450 CE. Be
sure to discuss the causes of the change as well as the reasons for the continuities.
1. Indian Ocean
2. Trans-Sahara
3. Silk Road
**Additional Information is a compilation of information from read sources.
Intro/Thesis, usable for all topics:
Evolution is believed to be a necessary part of life in order for any system or organism to survive. To
compliment this development, favorable traits are maintained and passé on for future years. As this applies to
organisms, it applies to historical organizations. In order for the Indian Ocean/Trans-Saharan/Silk Road
trade system to thrive it needed to morph disagreeable factors (change) while maintaining those proven to be
beneficial to its existence (continuity).
1. Indian Ocean
Road Map:
The factors that caused the change within the Indian Trade system were the developments of new
technologies, the low level of trade in the surrounding areas, and the spread of religions. The reasons for the
continuation of the trade routes are that the technology used as more advanced than the competitors, the goods
traded were in high demand, and the trade route created it own ethnicity and way of life.
Proof:
Change:
1. Compass, junk, maps, calendars, writing
2. Lack of outside ports in islands, non-advanced peoples. Bad geographic
3. Religious clashing. Feuds-fear-death.
placement.
Continuity:
1. Lateen sails, monsoon winds.
2. Ivory, pearls, myrrh, textiles—highly desired.
3. Ethnic diversity, easily distinguished. Bilingual. Women play important roles in home.
Global Connections:
Spread of faiths, ideals, and traditions. Creation of ethnicity and own traditions. Spread of cultures and
materials.
Possible reasons for similarities and differences:
Spread or religions/ conflict.
Influenced by different cultures.
Interacted with various regions
Additional Information:
http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200504/
The Indian Ocean Trade began with small trading settlements around 800 A.D., and ended in the 1500's when Portugal invaded and
tried to run the trade for its own profit.
As trade intensified between Africa and Asia, powerful city-states flourished along the eastern coast of Africa. These included
Kilwa, Sofala, Mombasa, Malindi, and others. The city-states traded with inland kingdoms like Great Zimbabwe to obtain gold, ivory,
and iron. These materials were then sold to places like India, Southeast Asia, and China. These were Africa's exports in the Indian
Ocean Trade
At the same time, the East African city-states were buying items from Asia. Many residents of the city-states were willing to pay
high prices for cotton, silk, and porcelain objects. These items were expensive because they were not available in Africa at the time.
. An important attraction was the gold obtained from inland kingdoms. The gold was needed mainly for coins, although it was also
used for works of art, ornamentation on buildings, and jewelry. And, the city-states were easy to reach from Asia by ship because of
the favorable wind and ocean currents..
Many of the merchants from the Arabian peninsula, India, and Southeast Asia stayed in the city-states of East Africa. Interracial
marriages were not uncommon, and gradually over the centuries, a new and distinct ethnic group developed, known as the Swahili.
The Swahili city-states steadily grew and prospered, and were a major world economic power by the 1400's.
Pieces of Chinese porcelain vases and dishes can still be found along east African beaches. Another source of knowledge is
the many documents written by people living at the time. For instance, Ibn Battuta, an African scholar, traveled to Kilwa in 1331 and
wrote of its immense buildings and its countless other splendors. Vasco da Gama, and other Europeans who visited the Swahili citystates, also kept logbooks detailing both the wonders of the port cities -- and, later, their violent destruction at the hands of the
Portuguese invaders. And of course there are the records kept by African and Asian companies and governments of purchases and
sales made via the Indian Ocean trade network
2. Trans-Sahara
Road Map:
The causes of the change of the Trans-Saharan trade route are the migration of the regions inhabitants,
the geographic obstacles of the area and the expansive amount of land that needed to be covered in the region.
The factors that caused the trade route to remain are the pre-developed culture of the area, the desired goods and
treats, the methods and technologies used by the traders.
Proof:
Change:
1. Mass migration of a segment of the populous, trade was interrupted, new routes needed to be found.
2. The desert created a barrier. The Red Sea and Atlantic Ocean bordered other sides. Northern Trade
and Sub-Saharan trade.
3. Expansive area- breaks in cultures and beliefs. Split of trade. Split of goods.
Continuity:
1. Ghana, Mali –Isolated for a time being. Trade expanded attention/
2. Kola nuts, caffeine, salt, palm oil, domesticated animals, camels and (supposedly) pigs.
3. Caravans, Mediterranean influence, mapping methods.
Global Connections:
Spread of African culture.
Spread of Islam
Possible reasons for similarities and differences:
Expansive area- same general culture, different teachings, influences and trade connections.
North- Roman trade- tropic area
South- Trade with North- desert
Additional Information:
http://library.thinkquest.org/13406/sh/
The sands of the Sahara Desert could've been a major obstacle to trade between Africa, Europe, and the East, but it was more like a
sandy sea with ports of trade on either side. In the south were cities such as Timbuktu and Gao; in the north, cities such as Ghadames.
From there goods traveled onto Europe, Arabia, India, and China.
Muslim traders from North Africa shipped goods across the Sahara using large camel caravans. They brought in mainly luxury goods
such as textiles, silks, beads, ceramics, ornamental weapons, and utensils. These were traded for gold, ivory, woods such as ebony,
and agricultural products such as kola nuts (which act as a stimulant as they contain caffeine). They also brought their religion, Islam,
which spread along the trade routes.
Nomads living in the Sahara traded salt, meat, and their knowledge as guides for cloth, gold, cereal, and slaves.
Slaves were wanted by the courts of Arab and Berber princes as servants, concubines, soldiers, and agricultural laborers.
During the fourteenth century, the legend of Timbuktu as a rich cultural center spread through the world. The beginning of the legend
can be traced to 1324, when the Emperor of Mali made his pilgrimage to Mecca via Cairo. In Cairo, the merchants and traders were
impressed by the amount of gold carried by the emperor, who claimed that the gold was from Timbuktu. Furthermore, in 1354 the
great Muslim explorer Ibn Batuta wrote of his visit to Timbuktu and told of the wealth and gold of the region. Thus, Timbuktu became
renowned as an African El Dorado, a city made of gold.
3. Silk Road
Road Map:
The reasons for change in the Silk Road trade routes are that there was a nearly constant battle for
control of the rich area, religious affiliation altered trade relationships, and the unification of the region. The
causes for the continuation of the routes were that they provided a link to the East, the good from the area were
highly desired, and there was limited outside influence.
Proof:
Change:
1. Han rulers controlled- bandits wanted it, plundered caravans. Western Han, Eastern Han, Wei, Tang
(height), Mongols, Ming (decline).
2. Buddhism, adaptation of the generalized faith, change of styles and traditions, decline is the desire of
material goods.
3. During the times periods when China was united, the Silk road was a strong trade route, but when
there was discourse in the region,
Bandits, Mongols, trade declined and somewhat hibernated.
Continuity:
1. The east was a rarely traveled area, Romans never reached it (supposedly) it had a lot to offer and
provided the rest of the worlds with useful materials.
2. Silk, tea, porcelain, gun powder, printed type, culture.
3. Because China was at the top tier technology wise, it remained isolated and had little cultural
interruption, allowed for the development of a stronger, more unified belief system and traditions.
Global Connections:
Spread of Asian culture
Manufacture of textiles desired by Western world
Spread of Buddhism
Generalization of the lifestyle
Possible reasons for similarities and differences:
Mongols
Isolation
Changing rulers/dynasties
Eventual decline away from the rest of the world, personal dark ages
Further developed technology
Additional Information:
http://www.ess.uci.edu/~oliver/silk.html#4
By 760 AD, during the T'ang Dynasty, trade along the Silk Road had declined. It revived tremendously under the Sung Dynasty in the
eleventh and twelfth centuries when China became largely dependent on its silk trade. In addition, trade to Central and Western Asia
as well as Europe recovered for a period of time from 1276-1368 under the Yuan Dynasty when the Mongols controlled China. As
overland trade became increasingly dangerous, and overseas trade became more popular, trade along the Silk Road declined. While
the Chinese did maintain a silk-fur trade with the Russians north of the original Silk Route, by the end of the fourteenth century, trade
and travel along the road had decreased
While the Chinese silk trade played a minor role in the Chinese economy, it did increase the number of foreign merchants present in
China under the Han Dynasty, exposing both the Chinese and visitors to their country to different cultures and religions. In fact,
Buddhism spread from India to China because of trade along the Silk Route, similar to the way Islam spread along trans-Saharan
routes in medieval West Africa. .
Megan DeLaunay
Analyze the changes and continuities in the Arabic world’s acceptance of ONE of the following items
between 700 and 1400. Be sure to discuss the causes of the changes as well as the reasons for the
continuities.
Arts
Technology
Sciences
Thesis:
Arts: The spread of Islam throughout the Arabic world saw the change in the arts from poorly
developed to flourishing.
Technology: Although the Arab Technological Revolution did not take place until approximately
800AD, after this time of slow changes, the Arab world saw a boom in technological advances.
Sciences: Throughout the course of history, starting with ruler Al-Mansur, scientific
investigation has been a slow growing, but major part of the Arab world.
Road Map:
Arts: Over the course of 700 – 1400 AD, the arts in the Arab world became more well-noted
especially in their architecture and literature, both of which were influenced by the spread of
Islam.
Technology: During the beginning of the time period of 700 – 1400 AD, little technological
advances were made in the Arab world; however the adoption of a printing system from China
and a paper printing mill boosted their surge into technology.
Science: In the early years of the second caliph dynasty, astronomy and medicine were
important because of the need to calculate dates and improve health, however, in the 800s
there was a shift to numbers and alchemy.
Evidence:
Arts
- not highly developed before post-classical era and rise of Islam
- spread of Islam saw poetry and architecture of mosques
- Mosques were used as libraries
- Language was Arabic
- Most methods copied from another culture
Technology
- Purified water
- One major invention (windmill) before 800AD, approximately 20 between 800 and 1400
AD
- Almost everything was copied or taken
- China was leading world in technological advances
Sciences
- Needed dates of Islamic festivals
- Wanted healthy rulers
- Slow start because need to transfer everything into an understandable language
- Ruler Jabir started focusing on alchemy and chemistry
- Almagest – first astronomical table – 833 AD
- Place-value system and decimal fraction
Global Connection:
The connections between these three topics could be viewed as a global context. The arts,
sciences, and technology in the Arab would were all linked by the spread of Islam, and saw a
major appearance in around 800AD. Also, each of these topics took information from other
cultures in order to flourish. The effects of technology are having some inventions like
windmills and paper mills, and the benefit of Arabic science in the decimal system and placevalue system.
Rebecca McNulty
13. Describe the developments and shifts in the role of women in TWO of the following regions between 600
and 1450 CE:
China
Dar al-Islam
Western Europe
Thesis: Women in both China and Islam were subject to subordination and restriction and had limited
opportunities for power, but the degrees and areas of restriction differed between the two civilizations.
Road Map: The inferiority of women to men was evident in aspects such as education and political positions,
but women in China had greater influence in politics while women in Islam had more influential roles in family
life.
Evidence:
China
-no property rights
-couldn’t remarry
-modest education
-foot binding
-held political positions
-there was even an empress
-Wu Zhao
Islam
-weren’t allowed to meddle in politics
-secluded and veiled in public
-their testimony in court only counted half as much as a man’s
-could divorce, although they had to have a reason unlike men
-property rights
-allowed to remarry
-could use birth control
-sometimes educated, though away from unfamiliar men
Global Connections:
-elongating the neck with rings in Africa
-sewing privates together in Africa
-European nonnoble women worked alongside men like rural Islamic women
Reasons for Similarities and Differences:
-influence of the Quran in Islam
-Women were viewed as a status symbol in china.
-Mongol influence in both civilizations
Ben Denton
Compare and contrast Japanese and European feudalism using two to the following criteria:
Warrior Class
Architecture
Role of King/Emperor
Thesis (and possibly a roadmap): The feudal societies of both Japan and Europe developed the military, cultural, and
political dynamics of two distinctly different societies.
Warrior Class (military):
Europe:
1. Knights were the central figure in warfare.
2. Knights were to uphold chivalry in that they were the enforcers of the hegemony of
their lord.
3. Financial need for knights created the feudal system.
4. Kings granted fiefs (land grants) for military service to their main supporters, vassals.
5. Downfall of this idea: vassals could hold multiple lands, therefore, owing their service to others within
Medieval Europe.
Japan:
1. Following the warring period under the Fujiwara Clan, shogun gained control.
2. Shogun were military leaders who commanded the samurai of Japan. The samurai were advanced in the art of
war, with their steel weaponry and their steel armor.
3. Samurai and Shoguns were to uphold bushido, the conduct to be followed by warriors.
4. There were also paid warriors known as ronin who also served the regional aristocratic daimyo.
Architecture (culture):
Europe:
1. Three key phases in Medieval-Feudal European Architecture: pre-Romanesque, Romanesque, and Gothic.
2. Pre-Romanesque: mixture of Mediterranean with Germanic types of architecture; led to the Romanesque style
of architecture.
3. Romanesque: combination of pre-Romanesque and some Byzantine styles: round arches, towering ability (large
in comparison to other buildings), and thickness in size (depth).
4. Gothic: evolution of the Romanesque style: entails the pointed arch, larger buildings, stain glass windows for
churches and cathedrals. Example: Notre Dame Cathedral.
Japan:
1. Topography heavily influenced architecture styles: architects began to realize that
more local items and
elements (wood in particular) were to be used to reflect the
serenity of the area.
2. Designs were more open and were more welcoming in the eyes of Japanese citizens.
3. Designs reflected Chinese Buddhist temples, and the pagoda.
4. Wood will eventually end as the dominant building material because of its ability to catch fire instantaneously.
5. Future designs would incorporate the lord-vassal and lord-warrior relationships (castles and the shoin [study
room]).
Role of the King/Emperor (political):
Europe:
1. The King retained complete control over the early feudal society (up until 1215 for
England).
2. Upon the signing of the Magna Carta by King John, the King was subject to the
established law of the land, granted liberties to the people of England, and the
of a parliament began, taking away the absolute rule in Medieval England.
3. Kings were responsible for the granting of land to vassals, so that they may raise and
maintain their military prowess.
establishment
Japan:
1. The Emperor of Japan had limited control over the feudal society: the daimyo and the shogun did.
2. Daimyo retained political autonomy over the region(s) that they commanded because they were in control of the
land. They were viewed as second in command (under the shogun).
3. The Japanese Shogun along with the Emperor were loosely tied with the daimyo, but were the symbols of
unification.
4. Shogun maintained their control over the samurai in order to enforce the laws of the nation.
Global Connections:
1. Distinct warrior class varies over the empires.
2. Ruling parties/leaders powers all begin to fade with the Magna Carta (in Europe predominately).
Similarities and Differences:
1. External Influences (religion, empires, dynasties, etc.)
2. Populous Revolt v. Military Control
3. Isolation v. Interaction
Other Information:
Japanese feudalism lasted from 800 C.E. to 1800 C.E. (Class distinction would remain)
European feudalism lasted from 800 C.E. to about 1490 C.E. (exploration begins)
Japanese Feudal Pyramid
Emperor (Figurehead and Unification Symbol)
Shogun (Unification symbol)
Daimyo (Political Leaders)
Samurai
Peasants (fishers and farmers)
Artisans
Merchants
European Feudal Pyramid
King
Nobles
Knights and Vassals
Artisans and Farmers
Peasants and Serfs
Cyrus Taylor
11/10/10
AP World History 3B
4. Compare and contrast the economic and political choices made during the Tang/Song Era with those made
during the first century of the Ming Dynasty.
THESIS:
The Tang/Song Era’s stress on agriculture, trade, and technological advances is very different from the Ming
Dynasty’s achievements in defense, liberal arts, and economic profits.
ROAD MAP:
The Tang/Song Era focused much of is resources in agriculture, which caused a massive increase in exported
goods out of the country. The advances in technology were much more frequent and significant than its Ming
counterpart. The Ming Dynasty built the Great Wall of China, wrote many literary texts, and had an increase in
porcelain production. These differences led to a wide variety of achievements that came out of China.
POINTS OF EVIDENCE:
 The Ming Dynasty’s commercialism was less prominent than its earlier counterpart, because they
limited mining and metal production. Instead, they relied on their geographic neighbor, Japan, to supply
them with weapons and tools.
 Agriculture in the Song Empire was much more important than in the Ming Dynasty, because Ming
farmers had difficulty obtaining iron farming tools.
 The Tang and Song Empires’ advancements centered on technology, medicine, and mathematics, rather
than artistic values.
 The Ming Dynasty’s military focused more on defensive strategies, whereas the Song Empire paid off
enemies to “avoid war”.
 The Song/Tang Empires practiced “private capitalism”, which meant that the government tried to stay
out of economic affairs.
 The Ming Dynasty stressed traditional Chinese values, while the Song developed connections with other
political states, causing ties with neighboring countries.
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS:
 The Song Empire helped to create/improve compasses which would be used for navigation across the
seas and trading routes across the land.
 During the Song/Tang Era, movable type and block printing were used as a way to print booklets and
papers. It could be said this led to the invention of the printing press.
 Gunpowder was also experimented with during this age. This new experimentation led to the
development of guns used in future wars.
POSSIBLE REASONS FOR SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERNECES:
 Similarities:
 Same geographic area
 Same core values-culture
 Had enemies to defend against
 Differences
 The Ming Dynasty was much larger, which made it harder to centralize.
 The Song agriculture was fertile and used up by the time the Ming Dynasty came about.
 There was much more technological competition during the Song/Tang Era.
 The Ming had a constant threat from the Mongols and there was no way to pay them off.
EXTRA INFORMATION:
 Both the Song and Ming used the examination system to train/choose the “elite class”.
 The Song Empire took control of the iron and coal mines in the North to help with the development of
weapons. This caused a government monopoly.
 The economic growth decreased power of monopolies, which meant merchants could gain more wealth.
 The Song developed the idea of using fractions to describe lunar phases.
 Historians believe that the “Southern Song” was close to an industrial revolution.
 Because the Tang Empire had a great number of exports, they were able to develop themselves as an
independent nation.
 The Tang/Song Empires implemented credit to pay off debts. They called this “flying money”.
Eventually the Song incorporated paper money, but inflation caused them to decrease production.
 The Tang used a method of military expansionism which helped them to control other countries nearby.
 Song Empire paid the Jin Empire to leave them alone and avoid a war with them.
Emily Gower
Compare and contrast the role and function of cities in TWO of the following regions:
1. Dar al- Islam
2. Western Europe
3. China
KEY:
Highlighted means it is a similarity
Thesis: Although these regions had very different ways of life; holistically, aspects of them compare to one another to
influence culture and overall way of life.
Road Map: These regions compare in religious influence over government and trade, but contrast in aspects of religious
views and overall culture.
West Europe: 600- 1000
- Rise of various kings, nobles, and chieftains changed the political and social life.
- Regional differences hurt the church
- Manors became primary centers of agricultural production.
- Church in Rome



Pope commanded some affairs
Relationship between kings and popes were tense because both wanted control.
Monks separated church prom politics and economics some with their secluded way of
life.
- Investiture Controversy: Medieval struggle between the church and the lay lards to control ecclesiastical
appointments. Also refers to popes v. emperors/ kings.
Western Europe: 1000- 1200
- Independent cities governed and defended by communes appeared first in Italy and Flanders and then else
where.
-Communes: groups of leading citizens who banded together to defend their cities and demand the privilege of self
government from their lay or ecclesiastical lord.
- Because of lack of farming land, these cities turned to manufacturing and trade.
- More abundant coinage also signaled the upturn in economic activity.
- Crusades

-Pilgrimages: journey to visit old churches and sacred relics of Rome.


Crusades might have never occurred without rivalry between popes and kings. The
church wouldn't have had the desire to demonstrate power over western Christendom.
Christianity v. Islam, Islam wins.
China
Tang Empire: 618- 755
-Nobles had government positions.
- Confucian system
- State cults based off Buddhism
- As the Tang empire expanded westward, contacts with central Asia and India Increased.

Because of this the complexities of Buddhism (religion) increased
- Material goods and cultures mixed with trade
- Well maintained roads and water transport connected China.


Grand Canal: Linked Yellow river with Yangzi
Tributary System
- Porcelain supplier
- Silk Road
Song Empire: 960
- Songs were cut off from central and inner Asia
- They developed sea connections with East Asia

Because of this they got advanced technologies
- Influence on other cultures (Japanese)
- Feet bound (women)
- Emperors
Mongols: 1200- 1500
- Nomadic culture
- Military power/ threat
- No unified religion- lacked culture
- Successful with threat
- Large conquest: Russia
- World Trader
Dar al- Islam: All Islamic nations
-Religion played a huge role in cities
- Mecca/ Medina: Holy cities of Muhammad
- Ka’ ba is the shrine that brings flocks of people to the region for pilgrimage
- Spread religion to other regions through conquest and trade. ex: Egypt, North Africa
-Shari’a law is the basis in Islamic civilizations
- Islam slowly developed to govern social and religious life
- Conversion to Islam helped to spur urbanization
-Religion of the cities helped to create unification, in belief and language
- The cities influenced the spread of religion when they offered tax cuts for those whom were Muslim
- Science and technology flourished
- Women generally wore coverings when leaving the house (physical restraints for women)
Global Connections
- Current power of the Pope
- Women’s rights in Middle East
- Modern Day foot binding, decreasing with time
Landon Sherwood
1. Analyze the changes and continuities in the Arabic world’s acceptance of ONE ofnt he following items
between 700 and 1400. Be sure to discuss the causes as well as the reasons for the continuities.
Arts
Technology
Science
Art:
Thesis: As the Arabic world expanded, cultural diffusion occurred and assimilated different styles of art to
incorporate peaceful relations with the people they conquered. At the same time though they kept the same style
of art to preserve their way of life and to ensure that the people knew where the power resided.
Roadmap: Important aspects that should be examined include: architecture, pottery, and literature.
Architecture:
1. Mosques were important to the Islam identity and showed the importance of worship to all conquered
peoples.
2. Developed the Dome to highlight beliefs in cosmology
3. used same geometrical designs as the Byzatines did
Pottery:
1. Glazed ceramics common throughout the empire to express beliefs of time
2. Although, different cultures influenced shapes and design of pottery. For example Hispano Moresque pottery
developed as a result of the Fatimids
3. Like Medieval society, used animal imagery
Literature
1. translated Quran into Arabic so everyone could read and understand its important lessons
2. Porse rhymed unlike other empires prose whose did not
3. Keep universal truths important like love in may stories like other empires
Global Connections
1. Much like other empires, Islamic art was reflecting beliefs of afterlife and society views a whole.
2. Christians at this time were building churches to show importance of their religion and give their
believers a place to worship.
Reasons for changes and Continuities
1. Development of different literature due to exposure of different languages and dialects
2. Developed different types of pottery to show growing cultural diffusion and how trade was becoming
more prevalent
3. Animal imagery stayed same because both Byzantine and Islam were exposed to polytheism due to the
people they conquered and both assimilated in into their cultures.
Technology:
Thesis: As the Arabic world expanded, the cultural exchanges led to new technological advancements that
improved the quality of life in the empire. At the same time, the Arabic world still continued to have their own
people develop technology to help promote to the known world that they were the supreme empire.
Roadmap: Major technological advancements during this time were gunpowder, calendars, and the dhow
Gunpowder
1. first discovered for scientific purposes
2. As empire expanded saw other used as a tool of conquest, particualry in China
3. Then Malmuks used it to fights the Mongols
Calendars:
1. Observational astronomy supported by Vighurs and Il-chans wished to expand on calendar to learn more
2. The calendar they crated predicted solar and lunar eclipses
3. This innovation reached the Malmuks and they crated their own in order to compete with the growing
empire
Dhow
1. Carrgo and passenger ship used in the Arabian sea
2. Sailors relied on stars to guide them
3. used Moonsoon winds to guide them to China/Africa/India
4. Was a small ship and eventually gave way to the bulk which could carry more goods and people
Global Connections
1. Like the other empires, the changes to more survival weapons suggest that more conquest was taking
place as humans grew a desire “to have more”
2. Man desire for knowledge allowed rapid technological growth to help makes lives and things such as
conquest easier.
Reasons for changes and continuities
1. The Arabic world built these weapons to protect themselves from invaders
2. These changes helped promote trade and population growth which leads to increased power
3. The continuity of the thirst of knowledge is due to ensure they would be overtaken by another empire
Science
Thesis: As time went on, scientific advancement opened new door ways for the Arabic world. It allowed them
to better understand the world around them and also to help promote their dominance over a large group of
people.
Roadmap: The discovery of chemical processes, mathematical advancements, and cosmology were all crucial
to this enlightenment.
Chemical Processes
1. Developed this to make goods such as sap and pottery. It also helped to make several types of glass
2. These helped them to develop more advanced pottery and to make more of it as well to share and trade
3. These were crucial as other empires were developing some of the same processes
Math
1. Al-Kashi proposed pi
2. Nasir Al-Din and epicycles and proposed planets moved around sun and this was an unorthodox
thought. This suggests that they were more intuitive then other empires.
3. Omar Khayyan and trigonometry and algebra. Helped them solve everyday problems involving
architecture and construction.
Cosmology
1. Ptolemy suggested that earth was center of universe
2. These beliefs developed helped people answer questions about the world around them.
3. Nicholas Copernicus elaborates more on Ptolemy and suggests sun is the center of the universe
Global Connections
1. All over the world people were trying to explain the world around them and led to new theories and
ideas and help to attempt the answer the questions many people were asking
Reasons for Continuities and Changes
1. The changes resulted as a result of the Arabic world wanting to peacefully assimilate cultures so allowed
cultural diffusion
2. Encouraged Arabic people to solve these questions posed to humans to show to the world that they were
a force to be reckoned with.
Jared Walters
8. Compare and contrast the Greek Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church using all of the following
criteria:
Religious dogma
Role and responsibilities of clergy
Organizational structure
Art used in places of worship
Thesis:
The Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church were similar on their religious responsibilities and
structure of the church, but were differentiated by their overall beliefs and culture.
Road Map:
The Roman Catholic Church is headed by one man, the pope, and he was assisted by the Cardinal priests
underneath him. The Orthodox Church unlike the Catholics is instructed by a group made of the patriarch and
his fellow priests. These two religious organizations are guided by their law codes, the Nicene Creed and the
Canon Laws. Art is also seen to appear in the practices of the religion.
Religious Dogma:
- The two religions are characterized by the Nicene Creed and Canon Law
- The two share a belief under the religion of Christianity, which was spread through the Apostle to
the Gentiles, Paul of Taurus.
- Both Believe in sacraments of baptism, and seek to convert people of other faiths.
Role of Clergy:
- The Roman Church is led by one high priest while the Greek Orthodox is led by the Patriarch and
his group of bishops.
- Excommunications are used by both churches, where the leaders decide who is a part of the religion.
The use of excommunication led to the official spilt between the two churches, when both high
priests tried to excommunicate each other.
- The Cardinals of the Catholic Church are given the duty to choose new popes to the head the church.
Organizational Structure:
- In the Roman Catholic Church, divorce is prohibited where as the Orthodox allow it for good reason.
- In the Greek Orthodox, the patriarch is not given the same divine power as the pope; he is not above
the emperor or his fellow bishops. So unlike the pope, the patriarch has almost no political power in
the actions of government officials.
- In 1054, split between the church occurred.
Art used in places of worship:
- The Greek Orthodox are characterized by the Hagia Sophia which is one of the most well know
Religious Sites of Christianity. Although during conflicts with the Islamic World the church was
influenced by both religions and can be seen by the church having both religions icons and
scriptures.
- The Roman Sistine Chapel is the most well known Catholic Church. This is also the residence for
the Pope. During the patronage Pope Julius II, he asked Michelangelo to paint the entire ceiling with
religious portrayals. This is one of the greatest church paintings in the world.
- During the Renaissance, many great artists created paintings and sculptures that were influenced by
the increasing influence of the powerful church. Also with the availability of Bibles from the
invention of the printing press, more and more Christian followers were able to understand these
masterpieces symbolic connections.
Global Connections:
These two churches were the religions of most of the known world and were only rivaled in size by the
Islamic world. The great Schism which separated the two was a prominent factor in the separation of many
Eurasian peoples.
Meirra Birath
P3B
5. Describe and analyze the changing political structure of China between 600 and 1450 CE. Be sure to discuss
the causes of change as well as the reasons for the continuities.
1. Thesis: From the seventh century to the early fifteenth century China’s political structure changed from
being highly decentralized to becoming more centralized and controlling.
2. Road map: The causes of these political changes include change in foreign relations, development of
technologies and changes in beliefs which can be traced through the exploration of the Sui, Tang and
Song Empires.
3. Evidence:
Sui
 unified china
 paved the way for the Tang
 Built grand canal connecting Northern and souther china (yellow river and Yangzi)
Tang
 Took over sui empire, and retained many sui governing practices
 Avoided over centralization, gave local authorities power
 Developed tributary system.
Song
 Stressed the importance of education (moveable type) and the examination system
 Industrial empire
 Overcrowding-primary issues control and health, leads to higher centralization
4. Global connections
a. Contact with central Asia and India increased and thus increased complexity of Buddhist
influence throughout China
b. Diplomatic ties with Korea, Japan and Tibet were followed by the spread of the bubonic plague.
5. Reasons for Changes and continuities
a. Changes
i. The tang was highly decentralized (which led to conflict of power between the states) and
the Song became more centralized through the spread of a unified culture and belief
system by using moveable txt and a unified monetary system.
ii. The Tang was primarily Buddhist at first and then became primarily Confucius as was the
Song.
b. Continuities
i. All empires utilized the Confucian system of examining candidate for bureaucratic office
on the classic Confucian texts.
ii. All empires made use of belief systems to support their rule
6. other info
Time line
581-618 Sui unification- paved the way for the Tang, built Grand Canal to link northern and southern China
(Yellow river and Yangzi). Reinstituted examination practice.
618- Tang Empire Founded- retained many Sui governing practices, but avoided over centralization gave local
authorities significant power. Continued the Confucian system of examining candidate for bureaucratic office
on the classic Confucian texts. Political use of Buddhism, some cults believed that the emperor had a spiritual
duty to create a harmonious Buddhist society for humankind. Early Tang princes competing for political
influence enlisted monastic leaders for prayer, preaching in their favor, advising others to support them and
contributions from the monastic wealth to their war chests, in return for tax exemptions land privileges and
gifts. Tang was cosmopolitan because of breadth/diversity. Tributary system- political relationship independent
countries acknowledge Chinese emperor’s supremacy.
627-649 Li Shimin reign- extended power westward (inner asia)
690-705 Wu Zhao reign- woman, controversial, but good ruler (rumored to be evil). Conflict for power with
Uighurs and Tibetans. Mutually beneficial trade diplomatic accommodations vs political unity
755-763 An Lushan rebellion- competition btwn Chinese states.
840 Suppression of Buddhism- undermining confusion idea of the family as the model for state, supported
women in politics.
907- End of Tang empire- disunity lead to political decay and weakness
960- Song empire founded- Industrial, commercial and efficient use of technologies. Books promoted education
and unity. Primarily Confusion.
Shannon Potter
3-B
16. Compare and contrast European and sub-Saharan contacts with the Islamic world using TWO of the
following criteria:
Degree of adoption of Islam
Military Conflict
Economic relationship
Treatment of minority/indigenous religions
Thesis: The emergence of Islam in the seventh century had prominent effects on all areas that it touched, but the
military, economic, and cultural effects on sub-Saharan Africa tended to be significantly more positive than the
comparable effects on Europe.
Road map: Contact with Islam permeated the military conflicts, trade relationships, and treatment of indigenous
peoples between countries, in addition to religious interactions.
Sub-Saharan Africa:
Degree of adoption Islam was adopted by the kings of Ghana, who built mosques and Islamic schools, but the
common people generally retained their native traditions. Koumbi-Saleh, the capital of Ghana,
was a large trade center that openly supported the studies of Muslim scholars.
 The city of Axum in Ethiopia had a long-standing relationship with Islam, having given refuge
to relatives of Muhammad when they faced oppression, but Islam did not take a strong hold in
the country
 Mansa Musa, who ruled the Mali Empire from 1312 to 1337, established Islamic schools and
made a widely-publicized pilgrimage to Mecca, expressing his public support of Islam
Military Conflict Any Islamic conquests into sub-Saharan Africa faced little resistance, thus eliminating the
prominence of military conflict.
Economic relationship Sub-Saharan governments that adopted Islam generally did so in order to establish better trade
relations with Muslim merchants
 The horses and donkeys previously used in sub-Saharan Africa for trade became obsolete upon
the Muslim world’s introduction of the camel
 Islam increased sub-Saharan Africa’s trade relations with India, Persia, and southwest Africa.
Treatment of minority/indigenous religions Indigenous religious practices generally remained and became incorporated with Islamic
traditions following Islam’s adoption in sub-Saharan Africa.
 Islam was not imposed upon native peoples, except in a political sense
 Islam did begin to define gender roles in society, but other traditional values remained.
Europe:
Degree of adoption Because of the prominent role of Christianity on the European continent, most countries were
highly resistant to Islam. The lack of religiously unified states in sub-Saharan Africa made
adoption of Islam more plausible.
 Islam was viewed by the pope as offensive and blasphemous to the Christian faith
Military conflict In 717, Islamic soldiers attempted to capture Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire


In 814, Muslims again invaded the Byzantine Empire
In 1095, Pope Urban II gave an order for the first crusade, which resulted in the capture of
Jerusalem in 1099. The continuation of the crusades created escalating tensions between the
Christian world and the Islamic world.
 In 1453, the Byzantine Empire was captured by the Ottoman Turks, who had already established
a Muslim empire.
Economic relationship Contact with the Islamic world exposed Europe to new crops, increasing agricultural production
and leading to the growth of various cities
Treatment of minority/indigenous religions Although Islam had respect for other “people of the Book,” including Zoroastrians, Christians,
and Jews, the most prominent premises of Islam came into strong conflict with the most
prominent premises of Christianity. Thus, the indigenous Christian population of Europe did not
easily cooperate with the spread of Islam.
Global Connections: Universally, Islam had a very positive effect on international economic relationships, as it
helped to revive trade on the Silk Road and created a unifying force between merchants.
Possible reasons: The natures of the native religions in sub-Saharan Africa and in Europe are most likely the
cause of their interactions with Islam. Because the various religious practices in Africa were not organized into
a single, unifying doctrine, they could easily coexist with the strict doctrine of Islam. In Europe, however,
Christian doctrine permeated most areas of life. Islam had a similar effect in the countries that adopted it,
preventing the two religions from coexisting peacefully.